Helmet Cover

ABSTRACT

A decorative removable cover is provided for fitting over a ski helmet with an opening in the rear for passage of a goggle strap. The cover includes a decorative band of faux fur that may be removable for replacement purposes. The cover is made of single ply stretchable material.

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of ProvisionalPatent Application 61/627,713 filed Oct. 17, 2011.

This invention relates to a decorative cover for a rigid sports helmet.More particularly, this invention relates to a removable decorativecover for a rigid sports helmet including a ski helmet, snowboardhelmet, skateboard helmet, bicycle helmet and motorcycle helmet.

As is known, helmets have been provided with various types of decorativeelements. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,122 describes a decorativeremovable helmet cover comprised of two liners with the outer linerhaving projecting inverted cones. Other decorative covers are describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,155,981; 6,061,836; and 6,256,799.

It is an object of this invention to provide a decorative coverparticularly for ski helmets that is simple to manufacture and to use.

It is another object of the invention to provide a decorative cover fora rigid helmet that is aesthetically attractive.

It is another object of the invention to provide a way to easilyidentify and differentiate one helmet from another.

It is another object of the invention to provide extra warmth but stillallow for breathability.

Briefly, the invention provides a cover for a rigid helmet comprised ofa center panel of stretch fabric and a pair of side panels of stretchfabric that are secured to and along opposite sides of the central panelto define a shape for mounting on a rigid helmet.

In addition, an elastic band extends along an outer edge of each of theside panels and along a forward edge of the center panel and a rear edgeof the center panel. This elastic band is sized to draw in the shape ofthe cover to a hemispherical shape when mounted about a rigid helmet andallows a user to readily slip the cover onto a rigid helmet and toremove the cover from a helmet when desired. At the same time, theelastic band holds the cover securely in place when mounted on a helmet.

The center panel is also provided with an opening in a rear portionthereof for passage of an eye glass (goggles) securing tab or strap of aski helmet as well as a grommet or other fastener for the strap o hehelmet.

The cover also has a decorative band secured to and around the centerpanel and pair of side panels. This decorative band may be removablymounted on the cover so that different decorative bands may be used withthe cover from time to time. Alternatively, the decorative band may bestitched or otherwise secured to the cover. In addition there is anapproximate ¾″ by 3″ Velcro hook and loop strip that attaches to theinside of the center front panel to secure the cover's position on thehelmet.

The cover provides an aesthetic appearance to a rigid helmet, In thecase of a ski helmet, the decorative band can provide a personalizedappearance, particularly where a user is clothed in ski clothes and ahelmet that mask the user's appearance.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a helmet cover according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a broken front view of the helmet cover of FIG. 1 ona ski helmet in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of a side panel for making the helmet cover ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a center panel for making the helmet coverof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a broken rear view of the helmet cover on the skihelmet of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a decorative band to be secured to a helmetcover in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of a modified decorative band for use with thehelmet cover.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the helmet cover 10 is fabricated with acenter panel 11 of stretch fabric, e.g. made of spandex, having anopening 12 in a rear portion thereof; a pair of side panels 13 ofsimilar stretch fabric secured to and along opposite sides of thecentral panel; and an elastic band 14 (not shown) that extends along anouter edge of each of the side panels 13 and along a forward edge of thecenter panel 11 and a rear edge of the center panel 11. The three pliesare each made of single ply material.

The center panel 11 is initially of a rectangular shape, as indicated inFIG. 4, having dimensions of 21 inches by 4.25 inches while each sidepanel 13 is cut in the shape of a semi-circle, as indicated in FIG. 3,and having a width of 13.75 inches and 21 inches around the curved edge.

Each side panel 13 is secured to a side of the center panel 11 by sewingor otherwise so that two seams 15 are formed in the cover as indicatedin FIG. 5, for example, by a zig-zag stitch along raw edges of thepanels 11, 13.

After securing the panels 11, 13 together, the elastic band 14 (see FIG.5) is secured in place, for example, by folding the outer edges of thepanel 11, 13 over the band 14 to create a “tunnel” and stitching thefolded over edges in place to contain the elastic band 14. The elasticband 14 is a ⅛ inch elastic band sewn together at the ends and sized soas to form the panels 11, 13 into a hemispherical shape for mounting ona rigid helmet when the band is in a relaxed state.

As indicated in FIG. 2, the cover 10 is sized to fit over a rigid skihelmet 16 or other like rigid helmet with a snug fit.

Typically, the size of the elastic band 14 is sufficient to fit withinthe inside of a helmet 16 so that the cover 10 is snugly held againstthe exterior surface of the helmet 16.

As indicated in FIG. 5, the center panel 11 has an opening 12, e.g. of 3inch width, in a rear portion and a reinforced edge 17 that surroundsthe opening 12. The reinforced edge 17 may be formed by a separate pieceof material (not shown) that is sewn into the underside of the centerpanel 11 and that has a slit corresponding to the opening 15 in thecenter panel 11.

As indicated in FIG. 1, when mounted on the helmet 16, the opening 12 inthe rear of the cover 10 allows passage of an eye glass (goggles)securing tab or strap 18 on the helmet 16 for holding of goggles (notshown) thereon. In this regard, the helmet 16 has a grommet (not shown)for receiving a button 19 on the securing tab 18 in mating relation uponpressing of the button 19 against the material of the cover 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the cover 10 also has a decorative band 20secured about the lower edge, i.e. to and around the center panel 11 andside panels 13, to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, forexample, being made of faux fur or the like. The band 20 may be stitchedto the fabric of the cover 10 in a permanent manner or may be removablymounted on the cover 10, such as by the known hook and loop fasteningdevice so that the aesthetic appearance of the cover can be changed fromtime-to-time.

Referring to FIG. 7, the decorative band 20 may be a knitted band thatis secured to the cover.

The panels 11, 13 of the cover 10 may be of the same color or ofdisparate colors from each other. In addition, the panels 11, 13 mayhave a variegated color design and/or an embroidered design with sequinsand the like sewn in place.

Alternatively, the elastic band 14 may be extended outwardly of the rearedge of the center panel 11 and provided with a clip that is slidablymounted on the elastic band 14 for adjusting the length of the elasticband 14 extending from the center panel 11 whereby the cover 10 can beadjustably tightened relative to the helmet 16.

In use the cover 10 is manually slipped over the helmet 16 whileallowing the goggle strap 18 to pass through the opening 12 in the rearof the center panel 11. The free end of the goggle strap 18 may then besecured to the helmet 16 by pressing the button 19 on the securing tab18 against the material of the cover 10 and onto the grommet (not shown)on the helmet 16. After pulling the sides of the cover 10 over thehelmet 16, the cover 10 may be loosened or tightened by sliding the clip21 forwardly or rearwardly to adjust the length of the elastic band 14extending from the center panel 11.

The invention thus provides a decorative cover that is of simpleconstruction and that can be easily slipped onto or off a ski helmet andlike helmets to individualize the helmet to the user. The cover isparticularly adaptable to ski helmets that are provided with a gogglestrap and grommet arrangement.

The invention further provides a decorative cover for a ski helmet thathas a removable band of decorative material, such as faux fur, that canbe removed and replaced by other aesthetically pleasing decorative bands

What is claimed is:
 1. A cover for a rigid helmet comprising a centerpanel of stretch fabric having an opening in a rear portion thereof; apair of side panels of stretch fabric secured to and along oppositesides of said central panel; and an elastic band extending along anouter edge of each of said pair of side panels and along a forward edgeof said center panel and a rear edge of said center panel.
 2. A cover asset forth in claim 1 further comprising a decorative band secured to andaround said center panel and said pair of side panels.
 3. A cover as setforth in claim 2 wherein said decorative band is removably mounted onsaid center panel and said pair of side panels.
 4. A cover as set forthin claim 2 wherein said decorative band is stitched to said center paneland said pair of side panels.
 5. A cover as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid center panel and said pair of side panels define a hemisphericalshape for mounting on a rigid helmet.
 6. A cover as set forth in claim 1wherein said center panel has a reinforced edge surrounding said openingtherein.
 7. A cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elastic bandextends outwardly of said rear edge of said center panel and whichfurther comprises a clip slidably mounted on said elastic band foradjusting the length of said elastic band extending from said centerpanel whereby the cover is adjustably tightened relative to a helmet. 8.In combination, a rigid helmet having a goggle strap secured thereon anda fastener secured thereon to receive an end of said strap in lockingrelation, and a cover removably mounted on said helmet, said coverhaving an opening in a rear portion thereof with said strap and saidfastener extending therethrough; and a decorative band secured to andaround said center panel and said pair of side panels.
 9. Thecombination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cover further comprisesa center panel of stretch fabric having said opening in a rear portionthereof; a pair of side panels of stretch fabric secured to and alongopposite sides of said central panel; and an elastic band extendingalong an outer edge of each of said pair of side panels and along aforward edge of said center panel and a rear edge of said center panel.10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said decorative bandis removably mounted on said center panel and said pair of side panels.11. The combination as set forth in claim 9 said elastic band extendsoutwardly of said rear edge of said center panel and which furthercomprises a clip slidably mounted on said elastic band for adjusting thelength of said elastic band extending from said center panel wherebysaid cover is adjustably tightened relative to said helmet.